Check out our Audience Award Winners!

October 1, 2025

2025 CFF Audience Award Winners

The Charlotte Film Festival is proud to present this year’s Audience Award winners—films that captured the hearts of our audiences and left a lasting impression.

Animated Short Film

Audience Award – Animated Short Film:
Two Ships
Directed by McKinley Benson

Documentary Short Film

Audience Award – Documentary Short Film:
The Cat Man Eshete
Directed by Laura Checkoway

Documentary Feature

Audience Award – Documentary Feature:
Natchez
Directed by Suzannah Herbert

Narrative Short Film

Audience Award – Narrative Short Film:
Cycles
Directed by Chinwe Okorie

Narrative Feature

Audience Award – Narrative Feature:
Queens of the Dead
Directed by Tina Romero

Social Justice Film

Audience Award – Social Justice Film:
An Island
Directed by Ricardo Muñoz Senior

Student Short Film

Audience Award – Student Short Film:
Oh Happy Day!
Directed by Ivan Rome

Thank you to our incredible audiences for casting your votes and making your voices heard. These films reflect the passion, artistry, and stories that connected most deeply this year at CFF.

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